Handle



Nov. 1, 1955 1.. E. RUSSELL 2,722,137

HANDLE Filed Sept. 7, 1951 (E re United States Patent HANDLE ApplicationSeptember 7 195 1, Serial N 0. 245,582

'5 Claims. (Cl. 74-543) This invention relates to handles, andparticular to handles for hand operated air pumps and the like. A handlein accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the invention is thesubject of an application for design patent, Serial No. D. 16,554, nowDesign Patent No. 172,689, filed on even date herewith.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well asthe. means and mode of operation of handles whereby such handles may notonly be economically manufactured, 'but will be more eflicient andsatisfactory in use, adaptableto a wide variety of applications, havingrelatively few parts and unlikelyfito get. out f repa r. j

A further object of the invention is to obtain a handle of simple andinexpensive construction of general application to air pumps and likedevices wherein a piston is reciprocated by hand through pressure andreturn strokes.

Another object of the invention is to utilize in a pump or the like ahandle molded from a soft, resilient and deformable material.

A further object of the invention is to present a molded handle asdescribed constructed and arranged as a conventional handle but toabsorb in its base the thrust of the operators hand on the pressurestroke.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple andeffective means for attachment of the molded handle to the piston rod.

A further object of the invention is to provide a handle possessing theadvantageous structural features, the inherent meritoriouscharacteristics and the mode of operation herein described.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will morefully appear in the specification, the invention intended to beprotected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction,the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, ashereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, ortheir equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is found the preferredbut obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of theinvention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a handle embodying the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof, a portion being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the insert.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

Referring to the drawings, a handle in accordance with the illustrativeembodiment of the invention includes a grip member 11 made of arelatively soft, resilient and deformable material, for example rubberor rubber substitute. The member 11 is molded in a single piece andcomprises a generally rectangular base or body portion 12 maderelatively thick.

A strap 13 merges with the ends of the body 12 and extends in spacedoverlying relation thereto, the strap being relatively thinner than thebody and tapering both as to. width and thickness as it extends from thebody 12.

Theunderside or lower surface of the body 12 is flat. The top side orupper surface thereof isformed with undulations 14- arranged to receivethe backs of the fingers: of the operators hand. Thus, in gripping thehandle the strap 13 is accommodated. in the palm of the hand while, theback of the fingers at or adjacent the knuckles overlie the. undulations14. On the upward stroke of the handle, which is effected under light orno resistance, a pulling force is exerted through the strap 13.. On thedownward stroke, which is the. pressure stroke, the opera-tor. pressesagainst the relatively soft body 12 with a. closed fist, the backs ofthe fingers being receivedv between the undulations 14.

There is longitudinally disposed .in the base or body 12 a reinforcementbar 15. The bar 15 is flat and rectangular, conforming substantially tothe shape of the body 1 2., and is embedded in: the. material of thehandle as a part of the molding operation.

.For attachment of the handle to the piston rod or shaft, a stem orstud16 is secured to the bar 15 and projects from the bottom thereof inperpendicular relation to the bar. The stem. 16 is preferably integrallyunited with the'ba'r 1 5 andi's relatively short, projecting through andbeyondthe'body 12 only a distance. sufficient to permit it to bereceived in a tubular sleeve 17 representing the piston rod. In itsprojecting portion, the stem 16 has an indented formation 18, formed inthe side surface of the stem by annular grooving, notching or the like.Opposite or in line with the indented formation, the wall of the sleeve17 is crimped into such formation. Relative axial motion between thestem and sleeve thereby is inhibited. The connection effected bycrimping in the wall of sleeve 17 is sufficiently positive as to sustainthe retracting or upward stroke of the handle. It is not,'however,relied on to sustain the whole of the greater axial thrust exertedduring the downward or pressure stroke, this thrust being in the mainabsorbed by the sleeve directly, the upper end thereof being extended toabut the lower surface of body 12.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A one-piece unitary handle made of a relatively soft resilient anddeformable material, including a relatively thick approximatelyrectangular body portion and a hand grip portion extending as arelatively thin strap from the ends of said body in spaced overlyingrelation thereto, the upper surface of said body having an undulatingformation to receive the backs of the fingers of the operators hand.

2. A handle according to claim 1, characterized by a reinforcing barembedded in said body portion beneath the surface thereof.

3. A handle for a pump or the like, including a relatively thickgenerally rectangular body and a hand grip portion extending as anintegral strap from the ends of said body in spaced overlying relationto said body, the upper surface of said body having an undulatingformation to receive the back of the fingers of the operators hand andsaid body and strap being formed of a relatively soft resilient anddeformable material, a reinforcing bar embedded in said body, and a stemsecured to said bar and projecting perpendicularly therefrom through thelower surface of said body.

4. A handle for a pump or the like, including a generally rectangularbody and an integral strap merging with the ends of said body andextending in spaced overlying relation to said body, said body and strapbeing formed of a relatively soft resilient and deformable material andsaid body being relatively thicker than said strap and having anundulating formation in its upper surface, a reinforcing bar embedded insaid body, and a stem integrally united with said bar and projectingperpendicularly therefrom through the lower surface of said body, saidstem being formed outside said body with a formation for attachment ofthe handle with means operated thereby.

5. A handle assembly for a pump or the like, including a grip membermade of a relatively soft, resilient and deformable material and havinga relatively thick base portionand an overlying relatively thin strapportion, the side of said base portion facing said strap having anunulating formation to receive the backs of the fingers of the operatorshand, a stem of a relatively rigid unyielding material received in saidbase portion on the opposite side thereof and projecting therefrom, theprojecting part of,

said stern being indented in the side surface thereof, a

tubular sleeve receiving said stem, said sleeve having a portion crimpedinto cooperative engagement with the indented formation on said stem, areinforcement bar embedded in said base portion and of the same materialas said stem, said bar and stem being integrally united.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.16,786 Currier July 13, 1886 D. 122,704 Winkbergh Sept. 24, 1940 D.160,567 Wylie Oct. 17, 1950 886,889 Stokes May 5, 1908 1,001,504 GaryAug. 22, 1911 1,008,604 Lake Nov. 14, 1911 1,365,985 Gullborg Jan. 18,1921 1,451,411 Wendling Apr. 10, 1923 1,519,166 Ranch Dec. 16, 19241,919,455 Wilson July 25, 1933 2,210,562 Anderson Aug. 6, 1940 2,327,891Herman Aug. 24, 1943 2,455,502 Kronoff Dec. 7, 1948 2,496,700 Cole Feb.7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 14,780 Great Britain Aug. 16, 1892 I OTHERREFERENCES

